Houston’s Ernesto Bayaua earned his first ever Lone Star Billiards Tour title, coming from behind and winning nine consecutive matches in the 43-player open division. Bayaua, a long-time APA player and the 2011 U.S. Amateur champion, fell only to multiple Lone Star Tour title holder Andy Jethwa in the third round, proving once again it takes a champion to best a champion. Brian Rosenbaum came away undefeated in a field of 59 amateur division players with a finals win over Sonny Bosshamer 7-4. Ricki Casper took home the “Top Lady” award of $100, while junior player Joey Bourgeois, Jr., finished an impressive 17th in the open division.

Bogies Billiards in Houston, TX, hosted the first Lone Star event of 2013 with a $1,000-added purse the weekend of January 26-27. In the open division, Raul Escobedo made his way to the first of two hot seats with wins over Joey Barnes 9-7 and Eric Hsu 9-6. Sonny Bosshamer paved his way as well with wins over Bobby Perez 9-3 and Sonny Demetro 9-1. As Bayaua made his way through the one-loss side trenches after a third-round loss to Jethwa, Esobedo quite handily bested Bosshamer for the hot seat 9-1.

Barnes and Bosshamer were Bayaua’s last conquests before he reached a confident Escobedo in the final. Both players appeared collected and in total control throughout. They traded game for game until the score was 5-all. One more game was all Escobedo could muster as Bayaua pulled ahead and closed the set 9-6. In the second set, Bayaua continued his reign with ever-increasing momentum and determination. Escobedo was determined but defenseless as Bayaua ran away with the set 7-1.

Rosenbaum led an impressive march to the hot seat of the 59-player amateur division with wins over San Antonio’s Randall Zapata and Robert Demetro, while Escobedo’s victims included Will Felder 7-5 and Bosshamer 7-2. Rosenbaum defeated Escobedo for the hot seat hill-hill, while Bosshamer was making a play on the one-loss side with wins over Bobby Pacheco 5-1 and Robert Demetro 5-4.

Bosshamer eliminated a disappointed Escobedo 5-2 to reach Rosenbaum. Each of these players participated in both divisions, a task that requires immense stamina and resolve. When the final set was called, Bosshamer seemed exhausted, while an undefeated Rosenbaum managed to find a spring in his step and defeated Bosshamer in the first set 7-4.